Although, I believe that a developmental process is necessary to get a true appreciation for your organization, I think there must be some clarifications first:
a) There is a difference between pledging and beating. There is a physical part to pledging. But the physical is meant to push you to your limits. But some have gotten to the point where they are beating people to death. This isn't pledging. This is assult. This type of activity should be banned and punished by law.
b) "Paper" is not the alternative. This process requires that the aspirant know a minimal amount about the fraternity/sorority history and its current ongoings. There is no learning process. There is no development of brotherhood/sisterhood. Why be in a fraternal/sororal organization if these lessons are not part of the experience? To "belong"? Maybe, but this isn't the aim of any fraternal organization. So this process in and of itself does not meet the objectives of the fraternity either.
c) I would propose that the balance comes by developing people such that they understand the tenets by which our organizations are formed. You don't have to 'beat' someone to teach them brotherhood/sisterhood. You don't have to tolerate not knowing history from "paper" applicants. Everything comes down to knowing your applicants beforehand and respecting those people first. Of all the people I know how have pledged or not pledged, I only disrespect those who are not deserving of my respect. Paper or Pledging doesn't apply in those cases because you will develop a love and brotherhood/sisterhood that is rooted out of your personal relationship and not necessarily from shared experience.
What are your thoughts?
~ ShaoLin
http://www.kaos-dazs.com
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Another ICE COLD Alpha Mu Production
[This message has been edited by ShaoLin (edited May 02, 2000).]